Nikola Jokic put on a first-half clinic.
escaped with a 132-126 win in Game 1The Nuggets look well in control of a dominant victory while holding a 21-point third-quarter lead. But the Lakers answered with a fourth-quarter rally that included a 9-0 run to cut Denver's lead to 124-121. They stayed within three points into the final minute of the game. But a pair of Jokic free throws with 26.3 seconds left extended the lead back to five and keep the Lakers at bay.
Jokic recorded an emphatic triple double, tallying 34 points, 21 rebounds, 14 assists and 2 blocks. He outrebounded the Lakers by himself in the first half. The Lakers countered with Anthony Davis, who posted 18 points at halftime and finished with a game-high 40 to go with 10 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals and 2 blocks. It just wasn't quite enough to lift the Lakers to a dramatic comeback.Denver took control shortly after the opening tip.
Jokic took turns running the offense, attacking the paint and posting up for rebounds. When the quarter was done, he'd tallied 8 points, 12 rebounds and 5 assists. Six of his rebounds came on the offensive glass as he secured second chances on nearly half of Denver's 15 first-quarter misses. The Nuggets led, 37-25.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
NBA playoffs: Can LeBron James, Anthony Davis slow Nikola Jokić, Nuggets' high-octane offense?
Read more »
Nikola Jokic dominates first quarterLeBron James leads the Lakers with eight points, four rebounds and two assists. But Nikola Jokic dominated first quarter for the Nuggets. Follow along:
Read more »
Lakers vow to do all they can to slow Nuggets’ Nikola Jokic, legal and otherwise“Try to catch him coming out of his house and kidnap him,” Lakers coach Darvin Ham joked when asked about defending Denver’s two-time league MVP.
Read more »
Lakers head coach gives hilarious answer when asked how to stop Nuggets' Nikola JokicFor the Lakers to advance to the NBA Finals once again, they're going to have to stop Nuggets big man Nikola Jokic. Lakers head coach Darvin Ham joked about how to do that.
Read more »
Lakers' priority: Slow down Nikola Jokic to win Game 1 and grab control of seriesThe Lakers won playoff series vs. Grizzlies and Warriors by winning Game 1 on the road and controlling their superstars. Up next, Nikola Jokic and Denver.
Read more »
Lakers vs. Nuggets: Why it's more than Anthony Davis vs. Nikola JokicThe L.A. Times' NBA crew breaks down what to expect when the Lakers play the Denver Nuggets in the Western Conference finals, beginning Tuesday night.
Read more »